Behind the Blue

LEXINGTON, Ky. (December 12, 2024) – On Friday, December 20th, the University of Kentucky will honor its newest alumni during the December Commencement ceremonies. On this episode of Behind the Blue , we're spotlighting a few of those graduates, hearing their stories about their time at UK, the memories they'll carry forward, and how they're ready to apply what they've learned to the next exciting...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (December 12, 2024) – Fans, dressed from head to toe in their team's colors, swarm the stadium chanting fight songs and waving banners. It's game day, and the stakes feel monumental.  Sports rivalries are a cornerstone of athletic culture — sparking packed bleachers, passionate debates and unforgettable moments.  But what drives the fervor that fans feel for their team and the disda...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 5, 2024) – The University of Kentucky Alumni Association started the Great Teacher Award program in 1961 to honor excellent teaching at the university. There have been more than 300 teachers honored since that first year. Nominations may only be submitted by current students. To receive the award, a candidate must: Hold the rank of full-time lecturer or above and have been a m...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (November 28, 2024) – [THIS IS AN ENCORE EPISODE.] On July 30, UK HealthCare opened a new emergency unit dedicated to the treatment of patients experiencing a mental health crisis. The unit, known as EmPATH (Emergency Psychiatric Assessment, Treatment and Healing), is the first EmPATH unit in Kentucky.  Pioneered by internationally known emergency psychiatry expert Scott Zeller, M.D...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (November 21, 2024) – The University of Kentucky Alumni Association started the Great Teacher Award program in 1961 to honor excellent teaching at the university. There have been more than 300 teachers honored since that first year. Nominations may only be submitted by current students. To receive the award, a candidate must: Hold the rank of full-time lecturer or above and have bee...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (November 14, 2024) – In September 2022, the University of Kentucky launched a groundbreaking initiative: UK Invests.  Designed to help students become healthier, wealthier, and wiser, UK Invests is a first-of-its-kind financial literacy program aimed at building a foundation of financial wellness for all students — undergraduate, graduate, and professional.  Through UK Invests, stu...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (November 7, 2024) – The interconnectedness of Black arts and cultural institutions is essential to the mission of community impact and affecting change. That's one of the observations made by University of Kentucky Assistant Professor Jaleesa Wells, Ph. D., from the Department of Arts Administration. For 12 months — from June 2023 through May 2024 — Wells explored the relationships...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (October 31, 2024) – In today's political landscape, the power of a single post, tweet or video can shift public opinion, drive movements and even shape policies. From trending hashtags to viral tweets, social media isn't just an accessory in politics anymore — it's a microphone, a platform and, at times, a battleground. In the social media arena, candidates and voters engage in rea...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (October 24, 2024) – As the 2024 election approaches, voters across the country are preparing for a pivotal year in American politics. While the Presidential race naturally dominates headlines, many states, including Kentucky, are also focusing on crucial down-ballot races that will shape the future of local and national governance.  From state legislative battles to key Congression...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (October 17, 2024) – The University of Kentucky Alumni Association started the Great Teacher Award program in 1961 to honor excellent teaching at the university. There have been more than 300 teachers honored since that first year. Nominations may only be submitted by current students. To receive the award, a candidate must: Hold the rank of full-time lecturer or above and have been...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (October 10, 2024) – In the summer of 2020, UK Football player JJ Weaver lost both his father and high school football coach in successive months. Weaver, a graduate who plays outside linebacker, says he channeled his emotions into football until an injury later that fall sidelined him and left him with no outlet. Struggling with anger and grief, JJ began falling behind in class and...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (October 3, 2024) – For over a century, starting in 1915, the University of Kentucky has celebrated Homecoming week – a time for students and alumni to uphold the Wildcat spirit and traditions. Numerous groups, including the UK Alumni Association, Student Organizations and Activities, Black Student Union, National Pan-Hellenic Council, Student Activities Board, and the Office for St...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (September 26, 2024) – Part of the UK College of Fine Arts, the University of Kentucky Art Museum fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation of art from a wide variety of cultures and historical periods, offering meaningful experiences for audiences of all ages. With a permanent collection of around 5,000 objects, the museum serves as a rich resource for the campus community an...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (September 19, 2024) – The University of Kentucky Alumni Association started the Great Teacher Award program in 1961 to honor excellent teaching at the university. There have been more than 300 teachers honored since that first year. Nominations may only be submitted by current students.   To receive the award, a candidate must: Hold the rank of full-time lecturer or above and have...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 17, 2024) – For Savannah Robin and Ilka Balk, what began as a "happy accident" turned into a major opportunity for students and employers alike. Robin, a lecturer in career and professional development for the University of Kentucky's Ag Equine Programs, received an email from Balk, associate director of the university's James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits, noting th...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 13, 2024) – For those who live and work in urban areas, transportation is often among the top challenges in their daily routines. For Lance Broeking, Director of Transportation Services at the University of Kentucky, addressing these challenges is a constant focus. He leads a department responsible for managing campus parking, transit, and alternative transportation options,...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 10, 2024) – Every year, on Sept. 10, World Suicide Prevention Day renews our commitment to addressing the growing mental health crisis affecting millions around the globe.  Established in 2003 by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) and the World Health Organization (WHO), World Suicide Prevention Day aims to raise awareness about the prevalence of suic...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 4, 2024) – For Eric Monday, the start of a new fall semester is marked by the dynamic energy of returning students, along with the opportunity — and challenge — of creating a lasting first impression as an educator. Beyond his role as UK's executive vice president for finance and administration, Monday also continues to teach an undergraduate course on personal investing and...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (August 26, 2024) – The Office of the Provost serves as the primary resource at the University of Kentucky for faculty, colleges and their leadership to support the core missions of excellence in teaching, research, service and care. Housed within the Office of the Provost are departments and individuals dedicated to supporting faculty as they continue inspiring students in the clas...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (August 26, 2024) – This year marks the 14 th fall semester on campus for UK President Eli Capilouto, serving in a position he says he's never considered as a job, but instead a life of meaning and purpose. On this episode of 'Behind the Blue', Capilouto takes time at the beginning of the new academic year to discuss the momentum of the entire campus to advance Kentucky through teac...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (August 22, 2024) – From college and professional football to thoroughbred racing and basketball to summer and winter Olympics, legendary sports broadcaster Tom Hammond's voice has painted the picture of some of the most historic and iconic moments of the past 40 years of sports. Now retired, the University of Kentucky alumnus remains involved with projects with personal meaning. He...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (August 15, 2024) – The summer break is nearing its end, and soon the University of Kentucky campus will once again be bustling with activity with the start of the Fall 2024 semester. For many UK students, however, their ambition and drive didn't stop because it was summer break. Across the nation and world, undergraduate and graduate students alike have been working on expanding th...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (August 8, 2024) – On July 30, UK HealthCare opened a new emergency unit dedicated to the treatment of patients experiencing a mental health crisis. The unit, known as EmPATH (Emergency Psychiatric Assessment, Treatment and Healing), is the first EmPATH unit in Kentucky.  Pioneered by internationally known emergency psychiatry expert Scott Zeller, M.D., only about 30  EmPATH units c...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (August 1, 2024) – Katherine Hartmann, M.D., Ph. D., is the new director of the University of Kentucky's Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS) . Hartmann is an obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN), epidemiologist and health services researcher, in addition to leading the UK CCTS.  She graduated from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's epidemiology Ph. D. progr...

 LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 25, 2024) – This year marked Kentucky Gymnastics 50 th season. Fans were able to watch some incredible talent during the historic season, including the incredibly decorated Raena Worley.   The 2024 SEC Floor Co-Champion graduated in May with a dual degree in Communications and Kinesiology. She is now an assistant coach for Kentucky Gymnastics. Worley is the second-most decora...